As for how the block of wood ended up in the box, dad Brian said the store's manager told them "it happens occasionally and ... they just go with it".

"[But] We're the only one that actually brought something back with a wooden block," he said.

One possible theory is that a customer purchased a PS4 then returned the box to the store with the block of wood inside — crafted perfectly to fit within the packaging — pocketing the cash or credit as well as the real console.

The packaging appeared to have not been tampered with, and Target is investigating the incident, according to Fox.

The Lundys said they planned to sit down and write a letter to Santa Claus complaining of the "naughty elf" behind the prank.